A LARGE THANGKA OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, Tibet, 19th ct., The 'Jataka Tales' are a voluminous body of literature native to India concerning the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. These are then illustrated in visual arts, e.g. in Thangkas thus enabling the meaning of these texts to be brought closer to a predominantly illiterate population. Buddha is sitting before a Sino-Tibetan style mountainous landscape dotted with excerpts from the Jataka tales, including scenes of practitioners and ethereal figures, all beside white squares for the descriptions. In the center of this painting, Buddha Shakyamuni is sitting on a lotus throne. His hands performing the "Bhumisparsa Mudra" [his left hand, palm upright, in his lap, and his right hand touching the Earth]. It represents, the Buddha asking Prthivi, the Devi of the Earth, that she witness his enlightenment when he was threatened by demon king Mara. He sits in calm and lordly grandeur, his gracefully delineated body garbed in a red robe with fine lines. Delicate designs in fine golden lines embellish his garment. In front of his throne, a bowl with a threefold wishing jewel depicted. This thangka was used in a Tibetan monastery for the education of young monks. The teacher possessed the various square cards with explanations of the individual stories from Buddha's life [Jataka Tales], then the students were given the task of placing the cards on the matching white squares of the picture. Unfortunately, these cards are lost. Property from a German private collection, received 2002 as present - Minor wear, rest.